Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle Reading App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Buy Used

$4.34

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and .

Yanni is practically a force of nature. With global sales of over 20 million albums, 35 gold and platinum awards, and a fan base of untold millions in nearly every corner of the world, this self-taught musician and composer has achieved a cult-like following. The Washington Post has called Yanni's career 'a miracle, a lesson in pluck that could be taught in business school, preached from pulpits and woven into bedtime stories.' In this long-awaited memoir, Yanni offers an inside look at his fascinating journey, from his boyhood in Greece, where he taught himself to play piano at the age of six, to his current status as a musical star. His path to success was sometimes rocky. With unprecedented candor, Yanni describes his long struggle to separate himself from the 'New Age' label, his ongoing battles with a music industry bewildered by his work, and the depression that threatened to derail his career. With great affection, he also discusses his long relationship with Linda Evans and shares the lessons about love and truth that he's learned from his father along the way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The platinum-selling electronic-don't call him New Age-instrumentalist Yanni tends to inspire strong opinions, and this ambitious autobiography, which Yanni calls "a book about a life of challenges, lessons, dreams, and obstacles," is unlikely to change any of them. Yanni, with the help of Rensin (who similarly aided Tim Allen and Chris Rock with their memoirs), adopts a conversational, occasionally almost condescending tone, full of tics like "Mind you" and "Can you imagine?". He recounts his "idyllic" childhood in a Greek village; his high school years as a champion swimmer; his time in rock bands (complete with groupies and cocaine); his nine-year love affair with Linda Evans; his near-breakdown; and his determination to make and market his music. Throughout, his plainspokenness is jarringly juxtaposed with show-offy references to the likes of Socrates and Schopenhauer. His claims that anyone could match his success if only he or she tried hard enough, perhaps meant to be inspirational, come off instead as preachy. In his acknowledgments, Yanni writes that "words have never been my medium"; fortunately, his fans love him for his music. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Yanni was born in 1954, in Kalamata, Greece. He moved the U.S. and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1976 with a major in psychology. He taught himself music, and has become one of the world's best-loved musician/composers, with global sales of over 20 million albums, and more than 35 Gold and Platinum album awards. He lives in Florida.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Yanni. For as well known as his music is, until now no one has known much about the man. He�s given many interviews over the years but has revealed precious little about the events that have shaped his life and set him on a course to unparalleled success in the instrumental music industry. Let�s face it, Yanni�s success in instrumental music is nothing short of a miracle. There are many other instrumental artists who are just as talented but none have achieved his level of success. Why? Is the music of Constance Demby or David Arkenstone any less moving? Different, yes. But no less moving. Many instrumental artists have the capacity to profoundly affect people in ways that lyrical music cannot. And yet, Yanni is the only one who has reached countless millions around the globe and has even beaten Garth Brooks in concert gross revenue. Whether you love Yanni or find him easy to hate, still you must ask yourself how someone who does primarily instrumental music can reach so many.Yanni In Words is a very moving and extremely candid autobiography. His honesty about who he is and where he has come from is commendable considering how he has been pigeon-holed as such a gentle soul based on the sound of his music. Has anyone who�s seen Yanni perform or heard his uplifting compositions ever pictured him as someone who spent several years in a rock band doing not only original tunes but also ZZ Top cover tunes? Could anyone ever conceive of his having used drugs or of him having been rather promiscuous? Can anyone picture him "bombed", or as a long-time smoker? I�ve met several people who�ve put Yanni on a pedestal to the point of making him a god, less than human. Well, if you read this autobiography, there will be no question in your mind.Read more ›

Yanni is a genius and you should listen to his "Yanni- Live at Acroplis", "In my time" and "If I could tell you" to believe this.

The chapter on creativity is so powerful and revealing. He shows you how he creates music by 'going into the black and surrendering to the unknown' and how you can do the same too. He says you can use the same process to create the life you want. The chapter itself reads like a poem. The author has done a great job understanding Yanni's life and philosophy and putting that into words.

I wonder why MARY from Long Island have it 2 stars...I've read many biographies, but this one is by far the best. This isn't one of those "I wish this was shorter" or "*Yawn*" type books. In this book, Yanni is very articulate about his emotions, but even more, it's exciting. It covers everything from his childhood in a picturesque seaside village to his historic concerts at the Taj Mahal to his insights on creativity. Words aren't quite my medium either, i'm an introvert, but I feel that people need to know about this book. Even if you're not a Yanni fan, this book teaches many valuable lessons, which has begun to make my life better believe it or not. And more than often, I've laughed my head off at some wonderfully hilarious moments.This truly is the man behind the music, or even more the spirit behind mankind.

I've been a fan of Yanni for a while now. I absolutely love his music. So when I heard about this book I had to get it. It's obvious Yanni gives his music 110% and after reading this book I realize Yanni gives everything 110%. The book is very interesting, starting with Yanni has a young boy and progressing through his rock band years, his relationship with Linda Evans, and his struggles putting on the Acropolis and Taj Mahal shows. The book was never boring. If you wonder how he got to where he is today this book is for you. If you think Yanni is "gay" (literal or figurative) and just for women, you'll be pleasantly suprised. If you think he got to be so successful because he was a born natural, you'll be suprised again. So how did he do it? You'll have to read the book to find out but basically it was tons of hard work and lots of passion. And that's what I enjoyed the most about this book, it's very inspirational. After reading it I really felt motivated to work harder at my goals and not to give up. That's why I think this book would appeal to non-fans as well. Everyone can make their dream come true.

This is a book that Yanni fans should enjoy, assuming they are capable of remembering that Yanni is a human being. (Which means that...pause for a shudder...he actually did some not nice things in younger times.) Sheesh, people, get real. Is it really a shock?What are really amazing, though, are the stories of the travails that Yanni experienced while getting his music out to the many millions who now listen to it. It wasn't easy. The story behind the Acropolis concert, and then the tales from the Taj Mahal and Forbidden City concerts is worth the price of admission. Both the good and the bad!But you also have the story of Yanni discovering true, deep, and sadly rare love, and losing it. You have the driven nature, the obsession with making the music perfect, and giving the gift of his wonderful music to the masses, and the ensuing breakdown. You easily understand and appreciate the ties that bind, the family love and support, and the friendships that Yanni has formed over the years.This is an inspirational book. It does not come close to a masterpiece--you should listen to the music for masterpieces. But it is a good book for those fans that want to know more, or even those who don't much like the music but enjoy stories of hardship, perseverance and success.